Nurturing the Folkdance

CEBU, Philippines - The organization started in May 2011 at the height of the Samahang Tagapagtaguyod ng Katutubong Sayaw ng Pilipinas (Philippine Folk Dance Society) National Dance Workshop in Bago City, Negros Occidental. The pioneering members were a group of teachers coming from different component cities and municipalities of Cebu. Its foremost aim was to echo the recent dances introduced by the national Society and reaching out to different key municipalities in the Cebu province.

The first workshop of the Cebu Society was held in Consolacion later that year. Then the workshop was brought to the towns of Badian, Compostela, Carmen and Dumanjug in the following years.

This year, the Echo Dance Workshop was held in Compostela, from June 12 to 24. The activity was well-attended, with participants mostly coming from the Department of Education - Danao City Division. Echoed in the local workshop were dances recently introduced in the National Folk Dance Workshop in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, in May this year. These included Putritos and Engañosa, festival and social dances; Pastorcillos; Pajo, Lapu-Lapu's very own; new dances such as Mamumugon sa Kampo and Pad-em, occupational dances from Region VI; and an interesting new version of the famous dance Cariñosa.

Many projects have been lined up by the local Society this year, including an echo dance workshop in Dumanjug on July 31, August 1 and 2. A similar workshop in San Francisco, Camotes on August 7 to 9 and another one in Maasin City, Southern Leyte.

As the need may arise out of the K-12 and local festival requirements as well as other related activities, the Philippine Folk Dance Society Cebu Province Chapter is ready to support, educate and promote Filipino culture and tradition through dance and music. This continuing education fosters improvement in the local scenario through the learners' development, encouraging patriotism and love for local culture - and indirectly promoting tourism. (FREEMAN)